Death is Different: An Essay Considering the Propriety of Utilizing Foreign Case Law in Eighth Amendment Jurisprudence

Symposium theme — Evolving Standards of Decency in 2003: Is the Death Penalty on Life Support

RNA Vaccines in Cancer Treatment

The Cancer Report from the World Health Organization states that in the year 2000 12% of all death cases worldwide were caused by cancer. In the western world, the cancer death rates are often devastating, being at about 25%. This fact stresses the urgency to find effective cures against malignant diseases. New approaches in the treatment of cancer focus on the development of immunotherapies to fight the disease. Besides other methods, the usage of tumor-specific RNA as part of vaccines is investigated lately. RNA, administered alone or used for transfection of dendritic cells, shows several advantages as a vaccine including feasibility, applicability, safeness, and effectiveness when it comes to the generation of immune responses. This review concentrates on results from in vitro experiments and recent trials using RNA vaccines to present an overview about this specific strategy

Pricing Policy: a Tobacco Control Guide

This tobacco control guide, co-published by CPHSS and the Public Health Law Center (formerly Tobacco Control Legal Consortium) is designed to help state and local tobacco control staff build effective and sustainable comprehensive tobacco control programs. This guide focuses on the role pricing policies can play as part of a comprehensive tobacco control program.https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cphss/1046/thumbnail.jp

Passive Pressure Modulation Mechanism for Improved Locomotion

ME450 Capstone Design and Manufacturing Experience: Winter 2021Our team was tasked with designing and fabricating a passive mechanism to assist with walking. Our sponsor, Steve Schrader, suffers from pes cavus, and experiences severe pain when walking. His current solution, the Disco Shoe, adds too much height and constrains blood flow in his foot, adding to his pain. The mechanism must reduce pressure in his metatarsal region and not impede his motion/allow for normative gait. It also must be affordable, durable, easy to clean, and be 3D printable. These requirements came from the sponsor and our own research into gait and similar products. To accomplish the requirements and their associated specifications, our team, with advice from Mr. Schrader came up with the Springblade design. This design aimed to absorb energy during heel strike and release it later to assist with push off, reducing pressure on the metatarsal region. The blades of the design also collapsed into a curved shape, mimicking rocker sole footwear, which is shown to reduce pressure on the foot. This design was analyzed using FEA (Hypermesh-Optistruct), in order to determine stress distributions and deformation. This allowed us to make predictions and some design changes prior to fabricating a physical prototype. We also performed multiple kinematic analyses of regular shoes vs. the Disco Shoe, the sponsor’s current solution. Using this analysis, we were able to create a standard for normative gait that the Springblade could be compared to. Following these analyses, the Springblade prototype was made using rubber. It was then tested in the Neurobionics lab alongside regular shoes and the Disco Shoe for comparison. After analyzing the data, we found that there was a slight reduction in the push off ground reaction force. Our analysis also showed a return to normative gait relative to the regular shoes. However, the overall length of the Springblade prototype made it difficult to push off, so that could have contributed to the data we obtained. The rubber was less stiff than the material we modeled with, so the blades collapsed more than anticipated, leading to less assistance during push off. After testing, several design changes were made, including reducing the length and number of blades. Blades were also thickened to increase stiffness. The sponsor’s orthotic was also integrated into the design. Moving forward, we recommend more iteration and prototyping. This will allow for more testing on the part of the sponsor, and he can continue to iterate on the design. Investigation into other methods of manufacturing will be beneficial since 3D printing will soon become expensive if used for every iteration. Testing with force or pressure plates might also improve feedback and design refinement.Steve Schrader: Alumnihttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/167641/1/Team_24-Passive_Pressure_Modulation_Mechanism_for_Improved_Locomotion.pd

Model Practice Building: Case Examples

This case study from the Missouri Foundation for Health Healthy and Active Communities Initiative (H&AC) provides examples of Model Practice Building strategies. Five MPB grantees were identified as Model Practices and are included as case examples in this report. The Model Practices and lessons learned were used by MFH to guide future funding decisions.https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cphss/1094/thumbnail.jp

Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Initiative 2013 Evaluation Report

This report presents 2013 evaluation results from the Missouri Foundation for Health’s Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Initiative (TPCI). This report summarizes the findings of TPCI from 2005 to 2013, while highlighting activities specific to 2013.https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cphss/1089/thumbnail.jp

Best Practices User Guide: Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control

This user guide was created to help tobacco control staff and partners implement evidence-based best practices by translating research into practical guidance. The user guides focus on strategies (e.g., programs and interventions) that have shown strong or promising evidence of effectiveness. Recommendations in this guide are suggestions for programs implementing strategies to improve health equity.https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cphss/1076/thumbnail.jp